Data sending/receiving method, electronic device, and computer-readable storage medium

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/CN2020/114668, filed on Sep. 11, 2020, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201910877530.7, filed on Sep. 17, 2019, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

This application relates to the computer field, and in particular, to a data sending/receiving method, an electronic device, and a computer-readable storage medium.

An electronic device such as a mobile phone, a smart watch, or a smart television can receive and send data by using a wireless network. Currently, the electronic device may support a sleep state and a wakeup state. In a data sending/receiving process of the electronic device, the electronic device may send/receive data in the wakeup state. If the electronic device does not send/receive other data after a fixed duration, for example, 200 ms, the electronic device may disable a wireless transmission module such as an antenna of the electronic device, so that the electronic device is in the sleep state. In this data sending/receiving manner, a sleep opportunity is provided for the electronic device, and therefore power of the electronic device can be saved, power consumption of the electronic device can be reduced, and a standby duration can be prolonged. However, an occasion on which the electronic device enters the sleep state directly affects a degree to which power of the electronic device is saved and power consumption of the electronic device is reduced.

This application provides a data sending/receiving method, an electronic device, and a computer-readable storage medium, to save power of the electronic device, reduce power consumption of the electronic device, and prolong a standby duration of the electronic device.

According to a first aspect, this application provides a data sending/receiving method. In the method, a first device receives, in a wakeup state, first data sent by a second device; the first device enters a sleep state after a first duration in response to completing receiving of the first data; the first device enters the wakeup state after a second duration; the first device receives second data sent by the second device; and the first device enters the sleep state after a third duration in response to completing receiving of the second data. The first duration is different from the third duration. In this way, in different data sending/receiving cases, the first device may enter the sleep state by using different durations. This can provide more sleep opportunities for a STA, to reduce power consumption.

In this embodiment of this application, the first duration and the second duration are related to a data sending/receiving status of the first device. Specifically, the first duration is associated with at least one of a service volume of the first device, signal strength, an occupation status of a shared antenna, an interference status, a type of a current application in the first device, or a type of the second device; and the second duration is associated with at least one of the service volume of the first device, the signal strength, the occupation status of the shared antenna, the interference status, the type of the current application in the first device, or the type of the second device.

For example, in an embodiment shown in, when a foreground application in a mobile phone is switched, the mobile phone may enter a sleep state by using different waiting durations. For example, when a current application in the mobile phone is Honor of Kings, the mobile phone may receive data D(used as the first data), and then enter the sleep state after a duration t; or when the foreground application in the mobile phone is WeChat, the mobile phone may receive data D(in this case, the data Dis used as the second data), and then enter the sleep state after a duration t. The duration tis greater than the duration t, so that sending/receiving of data of a delay-sensitive application and user experience of the application can be ensured. For an application that is not quite sensitive to a delay, the mobile phone quickly enters the sleep state by using a relatively short duration, to save power of the mobile phone, reduce power consumption of the mobile phone, and prolong a standby duration.

For example, in an embodiment shown in, the first device, for example, a STA, may determine, based on a current service volume status, a waiting duration for entering the sleep state. For example, if there is a relatively large service volume when the STA completes receiving of the first data, the first duration may be of a relatively large value, for example, 200 ms; or if currently there is a relatively small service volume when the STA completes receiving of the first data, the first duration may be of a relatively small value, for example, 100 ms or 60 ms. A similar design is used for the second duration. The service volume may be determined based on at least one of a Wi-Fi throughput rate in the STA or a quantity of packets sent/received in a unit time.

For example, in an embodiment shown in, the first device, for example, a STA, may determine, based on current signal strength, a waiting duration for entering the sleep state. For example, if there is relatively high signal strength, the first duration (or the second duration) may be of a relatively small value; or if there is relatively low signal strength, the first duration (or the second duration) may be of a relatively large value.

For example, in an embodiment shown in, the first device, for example, a STA, may determine, based on the occupation status of the shared antenna, a waiting duration for entering the sleep state. For example, if the shared antenna is occupied, the first duration (or the second duration) may be of a relatively large value; or if the shared antenna is not occupied, the first duration (or the second duration) may be of a relatively small value.

For example, in an embodiment shown in, the first device, for example, a STA, may determine, based on the interference status, a waiting duration for entering the sleep state. For example, if there is frequency band interference, the first duration (or the second duration) may be of a relatively large value; or if there is no frequency band interference, the first duration (or the second duration) may be of a relatively small value.

In conclusion, the first device may determine, based on an actual data sending/receiving status, the waiting duration for entering the sleep state. For example, the first duration may be the duration tthat exists for 200 ms, and the second duration may be the duration tthat exists for 60 ms or 100 ms. For another example, the first duration may be the duration t, and the second duration may be the duration t.

In this embodiment of this application, before the first device enters the sleep state, the first device sends sleep indication information, for example, P. The sleep indication information is used to indicate that the first device is about to enter the sleep state. For example, in a first beacon period in a scenario shown in, after the duration t, the STA sends Pto an AP, and enters the sleep state; and in a second beacon period, after the duration t, the STA also sends Pto the AP, and then enters the sleep state.

When the first device is in the sleep state, a wireless transmission capability of the first device is limited. Therefore, after receiving the sleep indication information P, the second device, for example, the AP, may determine that the first device enters the sleep state. In this case, downlink data of the first device is buffered by the second device.

In this embodiment of this application, a timing start point of the second duration may be a moment at which sending of the sleep indication information Pis completed. A timing end point of the second duration may be related to a beacon frame (Beacon frame). The beacon frame is periodically broadcast by the second device.

In a possible design, the first device listens to the beacon frame at the timing end point of the second duration. For example, in scenarios shown into, the STA may wake up at a sending moment of the beacon frame.

In another possible design, starting from the timing end point of the second duration, the first device listens to the beacon frame after a fourth duration. For example, in a scenario shown in, the STA may wake up before listening to the beacon frame. In this way, after the STA wakes up, the STA listens to the beacon frame only after a duration t(used as the fourth duration).

In another possible design, the second duration further includes at least one period duration of the beacon frame. For example, in an embodiment shown in, the timing start point of the second duration is a moment, in a first beacon period, at which the STA completes sending of P, the timing end point of the second duration is a sending moment of a third beacon frame, and the STA remains in the sleep state in a second beacon period.

In specific implementation of the foregoing solution, the first device may determine the sending moment of the beacon frame by using a transmission period of the beacon frame. The transmission period of the beacon frame may be obtained when the first device is connected to the second device, as shown in.

In this embodiment of this application, when the first device is in the wakeup state, the first device listens to the beacon frame periodically sent by the second device. The beacon frame may be used to indicate whether there is downlink data buffered for the first device in the second device. For example, as shown in, the beacon frame may indicate that there is buffered data for the STA, or may indicate that there is no buffered data for the STA. This depends on an actual communications scenario.

When the beacon frame indicates that there is downlink data buffered for the first device in the second device, the first device sends wakeup indication information, for example, PO shown in. The wakeup indication information is used to indicate that the first device is currently in the wakeup state. In this way, when receiving PO, the second device, for example, the AP, may determine that the STA is in the wakeup state, and may send the buffered data to the STA.

Alternatively, when the beacon frame indicates that there is no downlink data buffered for the first device in the second device, the first device enters the sleep state after a fifth duration, for example, a duration tshown in. When there is no buffered data, the first device may quickly enter the sleep state, to reduce power consumption and save power.

In this embodiment of this application, a timing start point of the first duration is a moment at which receiving of the first data is completed. In this case, if the first device receives a plurality of pieces of data in the wakeup state, the first data may be designed as follows:

In a possible design, the first data is data most recently received by the first device. For example, in a second beacon period in a scenario shown in, the STA sequentially receives data Dand data D. The data Dis data most recently received, and therefore the data Dis used as the first data. In this case, a moment at which receiving of the data Dis completed is used as the timing start point, and the STA enters the sleep state after a duration t. In this implementation, in this waiting process that lasts for the duration t, if new data is received, a start point of the waiting duration needs to be determined again.

In another possible design, the first data is data first received by the first device in the wakeup state. For example, in a second beacon period in a scenario shown in, the STA uses data, namely, data D, first received in the wakeup state as the first data. In this case, the STA uses a moment at which receiving of data Dis completed as the timing start point, and the STA enters the sleep state after a duration t. In this implementation, in this waiting process that lasts for the duration t, regardless of whether there is other data that is sent/received, the timing start point is no longer determined again, and the STA enters the sleep state when timing reaches t.

In addition, in this embodiment of this application, when the STA is in the sleep state, the STA may wake up when sending uplink data.

In an embodiment, after the first device enters the sleep state after the third duration in response to completing receiving of the second data, the method further includes: The first device enters the wakeup state after a sixth duration; the first device sends third data to the second device; and the first device enters the sleep state after a seventh duration in response to completing sending of the third data.

For example,shows a possible case. The STA receives data D(used as the first data) in the wakeup state; and then after waiting for a duration t(the first duration), the STA sends P, and then enters the sleep state; after the second duration, the STA wakes up at a sending moment of a second beacon frame, and receives data D(used as the second data); and then the STA enters the sleep state again after a duration t(used as the third duration). Then, this embodiment of this application may further include the following steps: After the sixth duration, the STA wakes up at a sending moment of a third beacon frame, and sends data D(used as the third data) in the wakeup state; and after completing sending of the data D, the STA enters the sleep state again after a duration t(used as the seventh duration).

In another embodiment, after the first device enters the wakeup state after the second duration, and before the first device receives the second data sent by the second device, the method further includes: The first device sends fourth data to the second device; the first device enters the sleep state after an eighth duration in response to completing sending of the fourth data; and the first device enters the wakeup state after a ninth duration.

For example,shows a possible case. The STA receives data D(used as the first data) in the wakeup state; and then after waiting for a duration t(the first duration), the STA sends P, and then enters the sleep state; and after the second duration, the STA wakes up at a sending moment of a second beacon frame. The STA may send data D(used as the fourth data) in the wakeup state; and after completing sending of the data D, the STA enters the sleep state again after a duration t(used as the eighth duration). Then, after the ninth duration, the STA wakes up when receiving a third beacon frame. In this case, the STA wakes up again. After waking up, the STA may receive data D(used as the second data); and then the STA enters the sleep state again after a duration t(used as the third duration). Then, this embodiment of this application may further include the following steps: After the sixth duration, the STA wakes up at a sending moment of a third beacon frame, and sends data D(used as the third data) in the wakeup state; and after completing sending of the data D, the STA enters the sleep state again after a duration t(used as the seventh duration).

In addition, the STA may enter the sleep state for two or more times in one beacon period. For example, in a scenario shown in, in a first beacon period, after completing receiving of data D, the STA enters the sleep state for the first time after a duration t; and then still in the beacon period, after completing sending of data D, the STA enters the sleep state for the second time after a duration t.

In a possible embodiment, the first device is a wireless station STA, and the second device is a wireless access point AP.

In another possible embodiment, the first device may be a STA, and the second device may be another STA.

According to a second aspect, this application provides a data sending/receiving method. In the data sending/receiving method, a first device sends fifth data to a second device in a wakeup state; the first device enters a sleep state after a tenth duration in response to completing sending of the fifth data; the first device enters the wakeup state after an eleventh duration; the first device sends sixth data to the second device in the wakeup state; and the first device enters the sleep state after a twelfth duration in response to completing sending of the sixth data. The tenth duration is different from the twelfth duration.

For details of this embodiment of this application, refer to the first aspect. Details are not described.

According to a third aspect, this application provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes one or more processors, one or more memories, and one or more computer programs. The one or more computer programs are stored in the one or more memories. The one or more computer programs include instructions. When the instructions are executed by the electronic device, the electronic device is enabled to perform the method in any embodiment of the first aspect and/or the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of this application further provides a computer storage medium, including computer instructions. When the computer instructions are run on an electronic device, the electronic device is enabled to perform the method according to any one of the foregoing implementations.

According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product. When the computer program product runs on an electronic device, the electronic device is enabled to perform the method according to any one of the foregoing implementations.

According to a sixth aspect, this application further provides a chip. The chip is located in a first device, and is configured to perform data sending/receiving with a second device. For example, the chip may be a Wi-Fi chip. When the first device is in a sleep state, the chip is powered off. When the first device is in a wakeup state, the chip is powered on. After the chip is powered on, data may be received and/or sent.

In conclusion, according to the data sending/receiving method, the electronic device, and the computer-readable storage medium provided in this application, a waiting duration suitable for a current service status can be selected based on an actual communication status of the first device. In this way, without affecting service use as much as possible, as many opportunities and durations as possible can be provided for the first device to enter the sleep state. This helps save power of the first device, reduce power consumption of the first device, and prolong a standby duration.

Implementations of embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A system architecture in embodiments of this application is first described.is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a network system according to an embodiment of this application.

As shown in, the network system includes an access point (Access Point, AP) and a wireless station (Station, STA). The AP is also referred to as a wireless AP (Wireless Access Point), a session point, or an access bridge, is a wireless access device, and may be used by a plurality of STAs to access a wireless network. The AP may be of a coverage radius that ranges from tens of meters to hundreds of meters, and may be used for wireless access in a scenario such as a broadband home, a building, or a campus.

For example,shows a wireless home scenario. In this scenario, the AP may be a device such as a wireless router, a mobile phone STA, a smart television STA, or a pair of smart glasses STA. Both the AP and each STA may support a wireless fidelity (Wireless Fidelity, Wi-Fi) technology, and the STA may separately communicate with the AP, to access a wireless network. In some possible implementation scenarios, a plurality of STAs may communicate with each other by using the AP. As shown in, the mobile phone STAmay communicate with the smart television STAby using the AP, so that a user may control the smart television STAby using the mobile phone STAto implement functions such as power-on/power-off, channel switching, and volume adjustment.

In an actual scenario, one network system may include one or more APs, and may further include one or more STAs. For example, in a wireless access scenario in a campus, APs are usually respectively disposed at a plurality of positions. In this way, when using a mobile phone in the campus, a user can access a wireless network by using a nearby AP. It can be understood that when the network system includes a plurality of APs, switching of the AP may be involved when the user (or a handheld STA) is located at a different position. Details are not described.

There may be a plurality of types of APs. The AP may include but is not limited to at least one of a wireless router, a wireless gateway, or a wireless network bridge.

There may also be a plurality of types of STAs. The STA may include but is not limited to an electronic device such as a terminal device, a smart household device, or a wearable device. The terminal device may include but is not limited to a smartphone, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, or a multimedia player. The smart household device may include but is not limited to a smart television, a smart rice cooker, a smart switch, a smart electric lamp, an electronic projector, an intelligent temperature control device, or a smart refrigerator. The wearable device may include but is not limited to a pair of smart glasses, a smart watch, a smart band, or a virtual reality device. The virtual reality device may include but is not limited to a virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) device or an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) device.

In embodiments of this application, a first device may be a STA, and a second device may be an AP. It can be understood that this should not be construed as a technical limitation to this application. For example, in another embodiment, the first device may be a STA, and the second device may be another STA.

For example,is a schematic diagram of a structure of an electronic device according to this application.

The electronic device may include a processor, an external memory interface, an internal memory, a universal serial bus (universal serial bus, USB) interface, a charging management module, a power management module, a battery, an antenna, an antenna, a mobile communications module, a wireless communications module, an audio module, a speakerA, a receiverB, a microphoneC, a headset jackD, a sensor, a button, a motor, an indicator, a camera, a display, a subscriber identity module (subscriber identify module, SIM) card interface, and the like. It can be understood that the structure shown in this embodiment does not constitute a specific limitation on the electronic device. The components shown in the figure may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.